Favourites Ontheclock Hanover and Dungeon Dragon held on for a pair of close victories on Saturday afternoon at Flamboro Downs to kick off the Signature Pacing Series.
In the first of two $10,000 divisions, Ontheclock Hanover led the way past fractions of :28, :57, and 1:25 en route to a 1:53.3 triumph. The 1-5 favourite held off the pocket-pulling Highland Boreas (Garrett Whelan) down the stretch to win by a neck while R Caan (Larry Small) finished over six lengths behind in third.
The American Ideal colt, who has now won four of his 11 sophomore starts, is owned by trainer Dr. Ian Moore of Guelph, Ont., R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B., and Serge Savard of Saint-Bruno, Que.
Pennsylvania ship-in Dungeon Dragon pulled the pocket in the second division as the field approached the :27.1 opening quarter mark and took over command with Scott Zeron at the helm. The 2-5 favoured David Menary trainee carved out middle splits of :56.1 and 1:25.2 before holding off first over attacker Jetta Flys (Roger Mayotte) and Hidden Potential (James MacDonald) -- who finished second in a dead-heat -- to win by a quarter of a length in 1:54.2.
The three-year-old Dragon Again gelding earned his fifth win in 13 starts this year for owners Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Abraham Basen of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Signature Series is for pacing colts and geldings that are non-winners of $75,000 lifetime as of midnight July 14, 2012 (no allowances for age). The series will continue next Saturday, August 4 and wrap up with a $50,000 (added) final on Sunday, August 12.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.